A residential roof replacement is a great investment, and if done properly, it will boost the value of your home, and also last for years into the future. Finding the right company to handle your roof installation is important. A reliable, trustworthy, and experienced company like Dream Roof will ensure that your new roof is installed properly, while also removing the old roof and handling all the cleanup.
With that being said, there are a handful of things that a homeowner can do ahead of time to make life easier for a roof installation company and will help make the entire process as seamless as possible. For instance, clearing the driveway, cutting the lawn, and ensuring all pets are inside the home are steps you can take to make sure the project is as successful as can be. Roofers will be coming and going through your yard as they work, so putting toys and other obstacles away is always a good idea. A dumpster will likely need to be parked in the driveway, so make sure to take vehicles out of the garage and off the driveway.
To make the clean-up as straightforward as possible, companies will even lay down tarps to collect debris and use magnets to find pick-up nails. Replacing your home’s metal roof is a major investment. These are 8 ways to help you prepare for a metal roof replacement.
1. Remove Vehicles from Driveway and Garage
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a roof repair is taking the vehicles out of your garage and off of your driveway. If you have any other obstacles on the driveway, like basketball nets or trailers, make sure these are all cleared from the driveway too.
The company handling the removal of the old roof and the install of the new one will likely need the driveway space to park a dumpster. Additionally, roofing materials will also likely be parked on the driveway, so if you don’t want your vehicles blocked in, you might want to relocate to the street.
2. Clear Patio Furniture and Toys
Homeowners will also want to clear any patio furniture or children’s toys from around the perimeter of the home. Workers will be walking around your home to access the roof from different sides, and a clear yard free from obstacles and debris can really make life easier. Plus, there’s no sense wasting their time having them move the toys and furniture and risk potential injury while working around them.
A good rule of thumb is to provide 15 feet of clearance around your home for workers to comfortably maneuver. Plus, should anything fall from the roof, you don’t want to risk damaging anything below. It is best to move anything you can into a shed or storage. If there are any obstacles that cannot be moved, like a pond or gazebo, it’s best to cover with a tarp.
3. Mark and Protect Trees and Plants
Plant and tree protection is an often overlooked aspect of roof replacement. It is imperative that you mark all trees and tarp all your plants. Orange tape is best as this stands out and will ensure all roofing professionals know they are fragile.
If there are any plants that are extremely important, be sure to discuss this with the roofing company during the planning phase so they can accommodate this. If there are any solar lights or ornaments, it might be best to completely remove these items from your garden for the duration of the project.
4. Clear the Attic
Although roofers won’t be physically entering your home, it’s still necessary to prepare for the start of the project. This is because replacing a roof requires significant work, and this will actually vibrate the home. There won’t be anything to worry about long term, but things can get a little messy during the execution of the project.
Any important items you have stored in the attic should be placed somewhere else while they work on your roof. It’s a great idea to lay tarp over the rest of your attic space as well.
5. Protect Your Garage
The importance of garage protection cannot be understated during the course of a roof installation. Of course, that’s assuming you have a garage built into your home and the area over this space is being replaced too.
Since garage spaces don’t generally have insulation, the amount of dust and dirt that will get displaced during the project can be significant. These small pieces of sediment can be a potential scratch hazard on vehicles and equipment below. It’s a good idea to put tarp over all items of value.
6. Protect All Fragile Items
Since your home will vibrate during the roof installation, you should take all wall art and other fragile items like mirrors down until the job is done.
This includes keeping fine china in the cabinet, and possibly even shelving – you can never be too safe.
7. Secure all Windows
It isn’t unheard of for materials to fall from the roof during the removal, which can potentially damage the windows.
The roofing company you hire should place wooden boards and other protective barriers over the windows to ensure no damage happens.
Keep Pets Indoors
There is a lot of work involved in replacing a roof and it also requires a lot of time. On average, a metal roof replacement can take 2 full days to complete. Of course, it can fluctuate depending on the size of your home and roof.
There can be a lot of hammering and other loud noises, which can be tormenting to animals. Some people opt to make arrangements for pets to stay elsewhere for a few days so they aren’t subjected to the loud noises.
Contact Us
There you have it! Those are all the measures you can take to be best prepared for a home roof replacement. If you’re looking for more information on metal roofs or if you’re ready to plan your new roof change installation, call the experts at Dream Roof today!